MONROVIA, Calif. — Spending senior year behind a computer screen has been a challenge for the class of 2021.
Monrovia High School senior Antonio Delgado misses being on campus.
What You Need To Know
- Due to the pandemic, the Monrovia Class of 2020 missed out on a typical graduation, while the Class of 2021 has missed everything
- Monrovia High School student body president Antonio Delgado surveyed his peers and spoke on their behalf at a school board meeting
- The California Youth Crisis Line is 1-800-843-5200
“This my home,” Delgado said. “I feel happy to be here, and I wish I could finish the rest of my senior year here.”
He has great memories, like when he was crowned "Homecoming Prince" two years ago. He was looking forward to his last one, but homecoming won’t happen this year — neither will winter formal or prom. All he has are memories.
"We didn’t even get to start our first last day at school together," said Delgado. "We’ve been apart since March, and I’ve been trapped inside my house all along. I feel like people don’t realize the fact that we lost everything.”
He and thousands of other students are mourning the loss of their senior year. The class of 2020 missed out on a typical graduation, but the class of 2021 has missed everything.
As student body president, Delgado helped survey his fellow students on how they're feeling and speak on their behalf at a recent school board meeting. He explained how many students are dealing with depression and mental health problems, and asked that resources be provided directly to students.
A youth crisis hotline number has now been posted on all district campuses. The board also promised the leadership class to follow up with a meeting to make sure students are being heard.
“It feels great to know that I made a change for our schools,” Delgado said.
He hopes they can find a safe way to change the distance between students, and that they can have a graduation and at least one last senior event before the year ends.
"They’re my family," said Delgado. "I just want the chance to say goodbye, maybe a socially distant event together sitting on the bleachers, watching the sunrise, and trying to bring back all the great senior activities but socially distant. I just want the chance to say goodbye to my friends.”
The California Youth Crisis Line is 1-800-843-5200. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.